Entry to Your Premises - With and Without Consent

Your rightsYou are entitled to ‘reasonable peace, comfort and privacy’ in your use of the premises. The landlord/ agent must not interfere with, or cause or permit interference with your peace, comfort and privacy.

Landlord’s right to enter the premisesOther than as outlined below, the landlord/agent or another person authorised by the landlord must not enter the premises.

If the landlord/agent gives you the proper notice (if applicable) and has a legitimate purpose, you will be in breach of your tenancy agreement if you refuse them entry. This applies whether or not you are at the premises at the time (see below).

Entry with consentThe landlord/agent or another person authorised by the landlord can enter the premises at any time with your consent.

Entry without consent, without noticeThe landlord/agent or another person authorised by the landlord can enter the premises without your consent and without notice, only:

In an emergency

To carry out urgent repairs (see Repairs and maintenance)

If the landlord has reason to believe the premises have been abandoned

In accordance with an order of the Consumer,

Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT)

If after making a reasonable attempt to gain consent, the landlord/agent or authorised person has serious concern about the health/safety of a person on the premises.

Except in the case of (6) above, the ‘Limits to entry without consent’ (see below) do not apply.

Entry without consent, with noticeThe landlord/agent or another person authorised by the landlord can enter the premises without your consent for certain purposes. See the table below for the number of times entry is permitted and minimum notice periods.

Except as noted in the table, notice does not have to be in writing. If notice is posted to you, the landlord/ agent must allow an extra 4 working days for delivery.

Showing premises to prospective tenants –‘reasonable’ notice / number of timesThe law does not define what ‘reasonable’ means in this situation. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you disagree with the landlord/agent about ‘reasonable’ access you can apply to the CTTT for an order to specify or limit the days and times on which the landlord/agent can show the premises.

If you refuse access, the landlord/agent can apply to the CTTT for an order authorising them or any other person to enter the premises

Showing premises to prospective buyers –agreeing to days and timesThe landlord or the agent arranging the sale must make all reasonable efforts to come to an agreement with you about days and times for showing thepremises. When you make an agreement, put it in writing.

You must not unreasonably refuse to agree to days and times for showing the premises, but need not agree to more than 2 showings in any period of a week. The landlord/agent may apply to the CTTT for an order to specify the days and times on which you must make the premises available.

Limits to entry without consentThe landlord/agent or another person authorised by the landlord must not:

Enter before 8am or after 8pm

Enter on a Sunday or public holiday

Stay longer than necessary.

They must, if practicable, notify you of the proposed time and date of entry.

A person authorised by the landlord/agent must not enter without your consent when you are at the premises unless they have written consent from the landlord/agent. If you are at the premises, they must show you this consent.

Entry when you are not at the premisesIf you cannot be there, try to arrange for someone to be there on your behalf. People entering the premises when you are not there may be a problem for your insurance. Ask your insurance company about this. If your goods are stolen or damaged, you can apply to the CTTT for compensation. You must be able to show that it was due to the conduct of the landlord/ agent or other authorised person.

Interference with your privacyExamples of this include:

The landlord/agent coming to the premises for no reason and without notice

A tradesperson coming to do non-urgent repairs without proper notice

Prospective buyers with a key to the premises coming around without notice or written consent from the landlord.

If your privacy is interfered withComplain to the landlord/agent in writing and demand that they stop breaching the tenancy agreement.Keep a copy of the letter. You can also:Apply to the CTTT for orders–– to stop the landlord/agent entering the premises(apply within 3 months of becoming aware of the landlord’s/agent’s breach)–– to specify or limit the days and times on which, and purposes for which, the landlord/agent or other authorised person can enter (apply at any time during the tenancy)–– for the landlord to carry out a term of your residential tenancy agreement (apply at any time during the tenancy)–– to allow you to change the locks or refuse the landlord a key to the premises (see Locks and security)–– to end your tenancy (see Factsheet 09: You want to leave)–– for compensation for loss of or damage to your goods

(apply within 3 months of becoming aware of the loss or damage)Report trespass to the policeReport unlawful entry to NSW Fair Trading. (A landlord/agent can be fined up to $2,200.)

If your complaint is about a real estate agent, tell your landlord about the agent’s behaviour. You can also complain to NSW Fair Trading.

Applying to the CTTTSee Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal and contact your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service for help in preparing an application.